Diversity

Diversity and inclusion remain central to our people strategy. We value diversity and celebrate individual differences, believing that our inclusive culture helps the business continue to grow as a strong, dynamic and innovative organisation.

Leo Quinn, Group Chief Executive, is the Board-level sponsor for diversity and inclusion. In 2016, the Board established a steering committee to govern the strategic activities across the UK and to track progress against a new three-year blueprint. This blueprint serves to outline the key deliverables and metrics necessary to attract diverse talent and create a more inclusive working environment.

Each strategic business unit produces a plan to align with the overarching strategy to ensure that diversity and inclusion activities are embedded to meet local employee and customer needs.

Four new Affinity Networks

In 2016, four new Affinity Networks were launched to enable employee groups to network, share information and gain support. The aim of these networks is to improve individual and organisational understanding of the different aspects of diversity and inclusion, in addition to supporting the Group’s strategy to be a great place to work.

In 2016, Balfour Beatty’s longstanding LGBT network secured the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) award for ‘Inspiring Change in the Workplace’ in recognition of their work, which offers confidential support to LGBT employees and their ‘allies’. Balfour Beatty was one of the first infrastructure companies to set up an LGBT professional network and is proud to be represented in the 2016 Financial Times’ Top 50 Future LGBT Leaders list. The network, which has doubled its membership in two years, has over 100 members spanning the UK and the US, ranging from senior sponsorship to front-line construction workers.